Tuesday, 17/10 – 2 – 3pm
Join us from 2 – 3pm for a presentation on Preserving Your Past
at Wellington Central library – 1st Floor.Explore ways to look after your family treasures. From photographs and postcards to books, old letters and family records you can find ways to preserve those items that you cherish for future generations. Take care for the stuff you love with information and tips presented and discussed by Gabor Toth, the local history specialist at Wellington City Libraries.
Tea, coffee, sweets and sandwiches will be served.
Bookings essential – please phone 04 801 4074 to secure your place!

Thursday, 19/10 at 6pm
Come along to a Classic Movie Night at Wellington Central library’s ground floor.
Book a night out at the movies, complemented with popcorn and refreshments. Watch a favourite cinema classic and share great moments with your friends. All that and more during the movie night at Wellington Central Library!
Bookings essential – please phone 04 801 4074 to book a seat.

Saturday, 21/10 at 10am – 4pm
Join us from 10am – 4pm for a day of fun, fellowship and crafting at the Seniors’ knit-a-thon held at Wellington Central library on the 1st floor. You can knit for one of Crafty Volunteers charities or work on your own project. Take the opportunity to learn how to knit or crochet with instructions from our Crafty Volunteers, who will be happy to teach you. You can also contribute by making peggy square blankets to be donated to the Women’s Refuge and the Night Shelter. Lots of spare yarn, needles and patterns will be available and tea, coffee, sweets and sandwiches will be served.
Bookings essential – please phone 04 801 4074 to book a seat.

This month we’ve chosen to highlight some of the beautiful new hand lettering books we’ve been spotting on our shelves! Have a go putting pen to paper with the ideas and techniques in our selection below, and develop your own unique stylish script.

Modern calligraphy workshop : the creative art of pen, brush and chalk lettering / Imogen Owen ; photography by Kim Lightbody.“Learn how to create beautiful, hand-lettered stationery, art, and other decorations with Modern Calligraphy, a sophisticated, interactive book full of exquisite sample alphabets, fun exercises, and simple step-by-step projects. From modern calligraphy in ink to hand lettering in chalk on blackboard and brush lettering in paint, you will discover a variety of ingenious and unique ways to turn words and letters into projects that can be given as gifts, sent as snail mail, or used within your home decor.” (Syndetics summary)

The golden secrets of lettering : letter design from first sketch to final artwork / Martina Flor.“The Golden Secrets of Lettering is a comprehensive, beautifully illustrated guide to hand lettering. With easy-to-understand instructions and guidelines, plenty of inspirational examples, and hundreds of hand sketches and illustrations, Martina Flor shows readers how to transform their initial lettering concepts and handdrawn sketches into a well-shaped, exquisite piece of digital lettering that can be sold and published.” (Syndetics summary)

Nib + ink : the new art of modern calligraphy / Chiara Perano.“The original, authentic and bestselling guide to modern calligraphy from Chiara Perano, founder of the pioneering and unparalleled calligraphy studio Lamplighter London. Play with type, get creative with letterforms and fall in love with handwriting again.” (Syndetics summary)

Hand drawn lettering : draw, print, paint / Max Marlborough.“You’ll find: 32 pages of instructions, and another 96 pages of alphabet samples for practice. Pointers on techniques and the use of color. Tips on materials and a discussion of fonts. […] Fans of drawing, painting, and printing will thoroughly enjoy this step-by-step guide to hand drawn lettering.” (Syndetics summary)

The art of lettering : modern calligraphy in four easy steps / Stefan Kunz.“Creative lettering styles are everywhere – on stationery, adverts, tea towels, wall art and cafe chalkboards to name just a few. This stylish, interactive book will make modern calligraphy accessible and fun – and you’ll only need a pen or pencil to get started. The book shows how to create cool hand lettering in three easy steps and features inspirational quotes in different hand-written styles, each with their own DIY page, which can be copied and incorporated into your own personal style.” (Syndetics summary)

The art of creative lettering : calligraphy techniques, projects and alphabets / Janet Mehigan.“This expertly presented volume covers all aspects of the art of ‘beautiful writing’, setting out the essential tools needed, teaching all the basic strokes to form letters, and providing a rich variety of templates to work from. A dozen alphabets are illustrated, showing pen angles, strokes and common group structures, along with a section on using a computer to create digital calligraphy.” (Syndetics summary)

Find some charming ideas in this collection of craft designs and make to give projects! Discover how to create unique and memorable art pieces for your friends and family. We have selected a variety of craft projects featuring stunning designs and creations. Take a look at the cutest range of baby shoes and booties to crochet – they’re so easy to make! Happy crafting!

Crocheted baby shoes / Val Pierce.
“Cuddly, colourful baby shoes make the perfect gift for a new baby – this book is ideal for crafty people looking to give unique and personal presents. The book contains 20 gorgeous designs, all unique but all equally irresistible, in a range of colours and styles. Choose from red strawberry-style shoes with flowery toes, smiley car shoes, Christmas booties and even shoes shaped like frogs! Each pair of shoes requires relatively small quantities of yarn and can be crocheted quickly, easily, and on the go using the clear instructions provided.” (Syndetics summary)

Super-cute felt : 35 step-by-step projects to make and give / Laura Howard.
“Learn how to sew, craft and make all sorts of fabulous gifts and accessories with felt. Felt is a really easy material to work with because it doesn’t fray when cut, and it comes in lots of great colors. Packed with 35 different projects for you to make, Super-Cute Felt will open your eyes to a whole world of felting possibilities. Complete with easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions and illustrations, Super-Cute Felt has a project for all abilities.” (Syndetics summary)

How to craft with paper : with over 50 techniques and 20 easy projects.
“The team behind Mollie Makes magazine have brought together all their favourite papercrafters in a range of impressive disciplines from papercutting to papier maché. They share their tips, stories and beautiful projects, inspiring us all to pick up an old book, a newspaper or a vintage map and get creative.” (Syndetics summary)

Wondering if you need an Enduring Power of Attorney (‘EPOA’)?
Want to know what it does?

Come along at noon this Wednesday to a talk at the Johnsonville library to hear Julie and Graeme Withers of Withers Law and Sheila Reed from Age Concern discussing why having an ‘Enduring Power of Attorney’ is important, how to get one, and various ways to avoid any pitfalls.

If you’ve ever had issues with Work & Income, come to Newtown Library to listen to a lawyer and a benefit advisor, who will be discussing various tips on how to challenge their decisions and make sure you’re getting your full entitlements.

Come along this Wednesday 23rd August to hear Sarah Croskery-Hewitt a lawyer from Community Law and the Wellington Benefit Rights Service who will be presenting, discussing and explaining all these issues, offering accurate advice and answers to your questions.

Come along to a seminar on Wednesday 16 August on the topic of credit and debt. Get the benefit of accurate legal information and practical advice and have the opportunity to ask your questions.

If you are:

Thinking of buying something on credit?

Worried you can’t keep up with your debts?

Would like to discuss your case with an expert?

This seminar is for you.

Our speakers, Kathryn Webb, from the Commerce Commission and Tim Barnett, from National Building Financial Capacity Charitable Trust, will explain what to look out for when signing credit contracts and what to do if your debts are getting out of control.

Find healthy and delicious recipes to choose from, a collection of timeless, elegant and easy to follow knitting patterns for you and your family. Home projects and idea to refresh your spaces, as well as books on health and wellbeing. Enjoy!

Cooking

Making and enjoying healthy meals doesn’t have to be difficult, time consuming, boring or expensive. Make life easy with this collection of healthy recipes cookbooks.

Good to Glow : feel good food / Tali Shine, Steph Adams.
“This book is your guide to the world’s hippest and most delicious, healthy and organic cafes! It features unique and exclusive recipes and signature dishes from destination spots handpicked by the author, Tali Shine. You will find mouth-watering recipes for juices and smoothies, brunches, dinners, as well as sweets and treats. Good to Glow is your go-to travel and health guide that will get you on the road to a glowing lifestyle. With numerous useful health advice and tips from the real experts and a glossary for global locations in one separate chapter.” (Syndetics summary)

Superfoods Super Fast / by Michael van Straten & Barbara Griggs.
“This book is for anyone who wants fuel their body with superfoods and needs to do it super fast! It’s packed with 100 amazingly nutritious recipes to make in 210 minutes or less… Julie Montatagu’s vegetarian recipes are fast, simple and specially designed for busy people who love to eat deliciously healthy food.” (Book Jacket)

The Gut Makeover Recipe Book / Jeannette Hyde, nutritional therapist BSc.
“Transform your body, mind and health with the Gut Makeover now. The Gut Makeover Recipe Book makes this lifestyle easier than ever. There’s no calorie counting, you won’t go hungry and you’ll find out how to fit the Gut Makeover around family life. Packed with easy, delicious and nourishing recipes, all of which have been carefully crafted by nutritional therapist Jeannette Hyde. The Gut Makeover Recipe Book also explains the revolutionary new science that reveals that the state of our gut is central to our weight and health. This is more than another fad diet. This is a lifestyle you’ll want to adopt for life.” (Syndetics summary)

100 Days of Real Food : fast & fabulous : the easy and delicious way to cut out processed food / Lisa Leake.
“In her first cookbook, 100 Days of Real Food, Lisa Leake revealed how simple it is to think out of the box in the kitchen by replacing unhealthy prepackaged and processed foods with “real food”. Now, Lisa is back with 100 quick-and-easy recipes and simple cheat sheets that will work with every family’s busy lifestyle. Along with these family-friendly recipes, 100 Days of Real Food: Fast & Fabulous incorporates ideas for adult, big-kid, and little-kid packed lunches and new seasonal meal plans and shopping lists.” (Syndetics summary)

Craft

Add warmth and drama to your outfit with beautiful patterns of lace and shawls, create projects the whole family will love, with tips and instructions from this collection of recently arrived books. Happy crafting!

“Stitching with Beatrix Potter / Michele Hill.
“Bring Beatrix Potter’s delightful stories to life: stitch by hand and by machine as you create projects the whole family will love; learn about the life and work of Beatrix Potter with historical vignettes; amazing appliqué tips”–Page [4] of cover.

The cross-stitch garden : over 70 cross-stitch motifs with 20 stunning projects / Kazuko Aoki ; translator, Kyoko Matthews.
“Inspired by her love of wildflowers, Kazuko Aoki has created a collection of more than 20 projects and over 100 individual cross-stitch motifs. Designs are included for all your floral favourites, such as viola, pansies, poppies and roses. These motifs are used to create traditional samplers, as well as bags, pincushions, pillows, coasters, aprons and tea towels. Instructions are presented in counted cross-stitch charts, plus step-by-step diagrams for constructing projects.”– Provided by publisher.

Sunshine spaces / Beci Orpin.
In “Sunshine Spaces”, designer Beci Orpin shows us how to make and create a range of fun homewares and other fabulous ideas for your outdoor space, including outdoor entertaining as well as how to bring a little of the outdoors inside your home! Inspired by the color and beauty of nature, projects include planter pots and hanging pots, picnic blanket and outdoor cushions, hammock and swing, sun umbrella and many more. […] Using a range of easily accessible materials, Beci shows you everything you need to know about bringing the sunshine into your life and home.– Provided by publisher.

The art of living with nature : 50 beautiful projects to bring the outside in / Willow Crossley.
“Learn how to make beautiful, nature-inspired, decorations, and arrangements with The Art of Living with Nature. Divided into five separate chapters: Woodland, Flora, Fauna, Edibles, and Beach, The Art of Living with Nature contains 50 innovative ideas to decorate your home, ranging from hellebores displayed in test tubes to wreaths made from hydrangeas. Filled with tips and useful techniques to make the most out of your blooms, there will be a project to suit every occasion.” (Adapted from Syndetics summary)

The art of stone painting : 30 designs to spark your creativity / F. Sehnaz Bac.
“Transform ordinary stones into colorful works of art with this easy-to-follow guide. Starting with the basics — including finding and choosing stones as well as tools and materials — the guide offers a variety of techniques, including painting stones with colors or inks, painting on natural stone, and sealing the finished work. Projects range from simple to advanced and include suggestions for indoor and outdoor display, as well as instructions on how to style wearable objects such as pendants.” (Adapted from Syndetics summary)

Come along to the Central Library Knitting Group!

On the fourth Saturday of each month our knitting group meets between 1 and 4PM on the first floor of the Central library. You can knit for charity — premature babies, foster kids, the Women’s refuge, the night shelter, the SPCA — or spend some time on your own project. It’s a casual affair – just turn up on the day you want at the time you want to knit and chat. If you would like to learn to knit or crochet we have experienced knitters to help you. A free sandwich lunch, sweets, tea and coffee are provided.

Gardening and DIY

It’s the perfect season to stay inside in your home and there is so much you can do, decorate, cook, organize and more. We’ve also hand picked a NZ home buyer’s book if you are interested in tips for buying a new home.

The home decluttering diet : organize your way to a clean and lean house / Jennifer Lifford.
“When Lifford got serious about organizing her home, she decided to follow the principles of a typical diet designed to lose weight. Think of every item in your house– and every item you bring in– as calories in food. To maintain weight, calories in must equal calories out. To lose weight, calories in must be less than calories out. New habits must be developed; psychological issues must be addressed; and sensible rewards must be established. This yearlong plan can help you organize your way to a clean and lean house.” (Syndetics summary)

Morning, noon, night : a way of living / written by Jodie Harrison, Lucy Quick and Alex Hawkins.
“A Way of Living charts the Soho House journey in design, food and drink. From the perfect burger to the most inspiring art, from afternoon tea to how to light a room. Developing themes from their first book Eat, Drink, Nap, Soho House shares hints and tips to get the best out of what is around us morning, noon and night. They have included their favourite recipes for every event, tips on creating an inspiring workspace, how to dress an outdoor space and much more…” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Buyer beware : a New Zealand home buyer’s guide / Maria Slade.
“Property prices going through the stratosphere, leaky buildings, P contamination, bullying body corporates – purchasing a house today can feel akin to entering a minefield. Written by a news journalist who has covered many of the horror stories, this book takes a no-holds-barred look at the challenges facing home buyers and offers savvy advice on how to navigate that minefield. It will appeal to all home buyers, from first-timers hoping for a small apartment to older people looking to downsize and everyone in between. With chapters on the search, mortgages and legal aspects, types of title, buying at auction, buying off plans, checks and warning signs, bodies corporate and the special problems to be found in Christchurch, there is plenty of information for everyone.” (Syndetics summary)

The art of living with nature : 50 beautiful projects to bring the outside in / Willow Crossley.
“Learn how to make beautiful, nature-inspired, decorations, and arrangements with The Art of Living with Nature. Filled with tips and useful techniques to make the most out of your blooms, there will be a project to suit every occasion–whether you need napkin rings made of sea urchins, a stunning display of spring narcissi planted in wooden wine boxes, or a stylish wall display of antlers and feathers. By combining her passions for the great outdoors and natural beauty, Willow provides instructions about how to make the most of your flower-shop purchases, beachcombing bounty, home-grown harvests, and hedgerow finds.” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

The creative home : inspiring ideas for beautiful living / Geraldine James.
“The Creative Home brings together the best of Geraldine James’s Creative series of books and shows how to apply these ideas in your own home. There are four chapters on different areas of the house–Cook and Eat features kitchens and dining areas, Relax and Socialize covers living rooms, Work and Create includes home offices and studios, and Sleep and Bathe, of course, shows bedrooms and bathrooms. A final chapter, Store and Display, shows how your home can be used to show off your treasures and store your collections.” (adapted frpm Syndetics summary)

Health

This month, explore different resources to transform your health and wellbeing. Take a page out of the book of a ballerina, a comedian, a spartan athlete and various scientists. Whether you are preparing for a race or implementing a training regime or wanting to map out a plan for weight loss that is tailored specifically to you, we have some new books for you! Finally, remember the importance of fun and laughter and find ways to make sure you do something that makes you laugh every day.

Big fat myths / Ruben Meerman
“This book lifts the veil on weight loss by tracing every atom you eat into and out of your body. Diet myths and wellness nonsense topple like dominoes along the way, restoring your confidence in common sense and the age-old wisdom that to lose weight, you simply need to eat less and move more. Meerman begins this diet myth-busting book by reminding us what we already know- that human beings are carbon-based, oxygen-dependent life forms.” (adapted Syndetics summary)

Spartan fit! : 30 days. Transform your mind, transform your body, commit to grit / Joe De Sena with John Durant
“From the best-selling author of Spartan Up! Try out a complete 30-day workout and diet plan to help you reach peak performance for whatever your goal! Joe De Sena with his signature take-no-prisoners approach, has taken the endurance world by storm and inspired millions. Now in Spartan Fit!, De Sena breaks down that approach and gives readers a complete Spartan training guide that will arm them with the strength, knowledge, and grit to never question their potential again.” (adapted Syndetics summary)

Miranda’s daily dose of such fun / Miranda Hart. “Doing something jolly every day that you can look back on with a smile and be grateful for, knowing it has also brought kindness to others, can gently help replace old negative thought patterns with more positive ones. The tasks included in this little book are designed to be universal and free (or as cheap as possible). And all the ideas here, however silly they may seem, offer genuine and healthy ways to change the way we feel for the better!” (adapted Syndetics summary)

Personal Development

This month, take a look at different ways of thinking and managing your life, explore the importance of habits and find simple exercises for building new routines. Find ways to manage stress and anxiety with a focus on positive thinking, kindness, generosity and fun! Then perhaps consider this advice for self-improvement from an entirely different angle, rejecting the urge for self improvement by urging self acceptance.

Stand firm : resisting the self-improvement craze / Svend Brinkman ; translated by Tam McTurk.
“How can we resist today’s obsession with introspection and self-improvement?In this witty and bestselling book, Danish philosopher and psychologist Svend Brinkmann argues that we must not be afraid to reject the self-help mantra and “stand firm”. The secret to a happier life lies not in finding your inner-self but in coming to terms with yourself. By encouraging us to stand firm and get a foothold in life, this insightful anti-self-help guide offers a sobering and realistic alternative to life-coaching, positive thinking and the need always to say yes!” (Provided by publisher)

Willpower : discover it, use it and get what you want / Ros Taylor.
“Willpower is the heartbeat of a successful, fulfilling work and personal life. But you either have willpower or you don’t, right? Regardless of what you want to achieve and where you’re starting from, Willpower shows you how to: practice the scientifically-proven skill set for enhancing you willpower; make progress immediately and have new, positive habits in just three weeks.The difference between those who get what they want and those who don’t comes down to self-control, Willpower is the way you master it and use it for personal and professional success.” (adapted Syndetics summary)

We have ideas and inspiration for you in this month’s collection of craft books, with a focus on jewellery — bold unusual necklaces and lots of techniques to get you started. Plus, learn how to make pottery you will love, and use, and explore fabric art journals. Above all, have fun creating.

Soutache / Donatella Ciotti ; English translation by Burravoe Translation Services.
“Discover Soutache, the art of creating modern and unique jewelry from looped braids. Donatella Ciotti shows you how to create stunning, expensive-looking costume jewelry, from earrings and bracelets to brooches for hats, with full-colour, detailed photography to guide you through each process. There is even a gallery of images at the end of the book to inspire you to create your own, bespoke soutache masterpieces.” (Syndetics summary)

Fashion jewelry : a beginner’s guide to jewelry making / Courtney Legenhausen of Lotus Jewerly Studio.
“Learn how to make beautiful jewelry from an up-and-coming designer with her own line! Bead stringing, wire wrapping, pearl knotting. This beginner-friendly guide, created by Courtney Legnhausen (owner of Lotus Jewelry), teaches all the basics of fashioning fun and attractive bracelets, rings, necklaces, and earrings. […] Even novices can make chandelier earrings, a pearl bracelet, a stone pendant, and more.” (Syndetics summary)

Making pottery you can use / Jacqui Atkin.
“Create cups, mugs, bowls, and more pieces that are perfect for you! Everyone who owns a beloved mug that has just the right handle, an agreeably “deep” cereal bowl, or a plate that fits perfectly in the dishwasher knows that once you’ve found these pieces, you wish you had more of them. In Making Pottery You Can Use, you’ll learn how to create the pieces that will work best for you. […] Successful teacher, designer, and author Jacqui Atkin explains how to throw and hand-build pieces that are beautiful and practical, from plates, cups, and saucers to casserole dishes, pitchers, and tureens.” (Syndetics summary)

Fabric art journals : making, sewing, and embellishing journals from cloth and fibers / Pam Sussman.
“This is the first comprehensive book that offers complete step-by-step instruction and patterns for creating unique book structures from cloth. Fabric Art Journals offers vital information on getting started, from choosing fabrics and creating patterns to basic sewing techniques. In addition to learning how to make various styles of fabric books, readers will learn embellishment techniques that include painting, writing, decorative stitching, print and transfer styles, machine and hand embroidery, and quilting.” (Syndetics summary)

in this week’s session of the Law for Lunch series happening 12-1pm at the Central Library, Mr Boys, an insurance lawyer, will be talking about entitlements and claims processes after an earthquake disaster. Come along and hear an expert insurance lawyer discussing how EQC works, and what are the steps if you ever need to make a claim.

Learn your rights as a consumer and hear about the provisions of the Earthquake Commission Act.

What does EQCover provide to consumers after a major natural disaster? What do you do if your home is damaged?

Ask your questions about lodging an insurance claim – and how long do you have to wait before the damage is repaired?

it is a great opportunity to listen to an expert and hear useful tips on earthquake insurance. Refreshments will be offered. All welcome!

Are you facing tricky legal issues as an employee or employer? Do you have questions about your terms of employment, conditions of work and employment rights? This week’s session of Law for Lunch will have the answers to your questions.

We are pleased to have with us Steph Dyhrberg from Dyhrberg Drayton Employment Law, and John Ryall from E tū Union to present the topics.
Both have been involved in recent historic pay equity developments (John as Assistant National Secretary of the union representing aged care workers and Steph as counsel for the Coalition for Equal Value, Equal Pay).
They will be discussing the following: